BY DESIGN : SHOPPERS' SPECIAL : Are You a Big Spender? Want to Be Rewarded? Join the Club

Frequent fliers know the value of loyalty to an airline: freebies. Now, shoppers are looking for the same kind of payoff from their favorite department stores. Here is a sampling of the incentives available to customers willing to spend their money in one place.

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The Broadway: Club West, a cosmetics and fragrance frequent-shopping program, offers free membership and a $25 gift certificate to shoppers for each $250 they spend. Certificates must be used within a six-week period to purchase cosmetics or fragrances. Members also receive the CW Newsletter, which features beauty tips and promotional information. For details on Club West and Broadway's "Preferred" shopper program, visit your nearest Broadway.

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Bullock's and I. Magnin: Both stores are offering limited test programs for frequent shoppers. Customers who spend at least $2,500 annually, keep their account in good standing for a year, and make at least three transactions qualify for a special credit card identifying them as members. They accumulate points based on dollars spent. When a shopper earns 700 points, for example, he or she receives $25 in merchandise certificates. Other benefits include free gift wrap, free standard alterations and more. For details about the Bullock's program, call or visit your nearest store. For information about I. Magnin's, call (800) 9 POINTS.

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Neiman Marcus: The InCircle frequent-buyer club, now 10 years old, requires shoppers to spend $3,000 annually to receive benefits. A special credit card alerts salespeople to their status. Customers receive free gift wrap (for purchases of $25 or more), the InCircle magazine and quarterly newsletters, plus such perks as travel and rental-car discounts. Those who spend more may earn even greater perks.

For details, call (800) NCIRCLE.

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Nordstrom: Nordstrom rewards its loyal customers through rebates whenever they use their Nordstrom card or Nordstrom Visa, which offers the same privileges as other Visas. Customers who spend at least $1,000 qualify for rebates, from 1% to 5%, based on their year-end total expenditures. For details, call (800) 935-4210.

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Saks Fifth Avenue: The frequent-buyer program Saks First issues special credit cards to shoppers who spend at least $2,000 annually. They earn points for every dollar spent toward year-end certificates that are redeemable for merchandise. Member services include check cashing, free local delivery and more. For details, call (800) 871-SAKS.

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Sears: The national chain rewards frequent customers in three ways: via its Discover card and its Sears Best Customer and KidVantage programs.

The Discover card, which has no annual fee, gives customers up to 1% cash back on a year's total purchases. The Sears Best Customer program rewards those who spend at least $1,000 annually, within four merchandise categories, and who make more than six in-store transactions a year. Benefits include priority repair service or installation of home equipment, 0% financing and more.

With KidVantage, customers receive a 15% discount on their next children's-item purchase for every $100 they spend. Members also receive a special "wear-out" warranty and other promotions.